Rare Breadfruit Tree at BARD Cumilla has drawn the attention of locals and tourists alike, as its unusual appearance sparks curiosity. With fruits resembling jackfruit and leaves similar to papaya, this unique tree, originally from the Caribbean and Pacific regions, now thrives in the campus of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Kotbari, Cumilla.
Currently, three trees on the BARD campus—located near the Director General’s office, the post office area, and in front of the Main Auditorium—are full of hanging green fruits. Visitors are seen capturing photos and videos, mesmerized by the sight.
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According to BARD sources, the first breadfruit tree was planted in 1984. It bore fruit for nearly three decades until it was uprooted in a storm in 2017. That same year, four new trees were planted. Though one died, the remaining three have produced an abundance of fruit this year.
BARD official Md. Zakir Hossain expressed joy: “We were heartbroken when the original tree died. But seeing all three new trees bearing fruit this year has made us very happy.” Garden supervisor Shamsul Haque added, “I’ve nurtured these trees since they were saplings. The fruits will be harvested later this month.”
Typically cooked and eaten as a vegetable, breadfruit is known in English as Breadfruit, with the scientific name Artocarpus altilis. Professor Md. Mosharraf Hossain, a botanist at Cumilla Victoria College, explains: “The fruit has a texture like potato and can be sliced like bread. The trees grow as high as 50 to 70 feet.”
Dr. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, former director of Cumilla Medical College, said the fruit is nutritionally rich and has medicinal value. “It contains balanced nutrients and helps in treating high blood pressure, respiratory issues, and skin diseases.”
According to Ayub Mahmud, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Cumilla, “The fruit is full of nutrients and healing properties. Though it’s not yet cultivated commercially in Bangladesh, we welcome anyone interested in growing it.”
The Rare Breadfruit Tree at BARD Cumilla continues to fascinate both nature lovers and health enthusiasts alike. Its jackfruit-like appearance, lush foliage, and medicinal benefits have made the campus a hotspot for curious minds.
